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When was the elevator invented?

Although the modern elevator has only been around since 1852, platforms that rose and fell using winches, rope, counterweight and manpower were first built by Archimedes in Ancient Greece. Another famous elevator belonged to King Louis XV, who had it built so he could be transported from his quarters to his mistresses' rooms. Until Otis' safety device, the steam-powered elevators of the 19th century were dangerous, as there was nothing to stop the car from free falling if a cable broke.

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When did Minnesota become a state?

The state capital of Minnesota is St. Paul. Minnesota has several nicknames, including the Land of 10,000 Lakes, North Star State and Gopher State. It is the second most northern state, following Alaska. The name Minnesota is derived from a word in the Dakota language, which is spoken by the Sioux, for "clear blue water."

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Who designed Washington, D.C.?

L'Enfant wanted to blend European architectural ideas with the American ideals of democracy. The central piece of his plan was the National Mall, a public space maintained for the use of all citizens and visitors. Such a public space was unheard of in Europe, but it embodied the American pursuit of equality. Subsequent architects realized the Mall and many of L'Enfant's other ideas, such as the city's wide boulevard's and the placement of important buildings. However, some of L'Enfant's ideas, such as a waterfall coursing down Capitol Hill, exist only on pape..

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What was the significance of the English Bill of Rights?

The English Bill of Rights established that Englishmen had inalienable civil and political rights that must be upheld. However, religious liberty was limited for anyone who was not a protestant. Catholics were banned from the throne under the Bill of Rights. Kings and Queens had to swear under oath to uphold Protestantism as the official religion of England. Monarchs could not build their own courts or act as judges unless they received the consent of parliament themselves.The English Bill of Rights also stopped the monarchs from preventing Protestants from bearing arms, created a standard ar..

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What are some facts about the Quartering Act?

During the French and Indian War, British soldiers had seized accommodation in private homes by force. The Quartering Act of 1765 stated that the colonists should instead supply barracks for the soldiers, and in the absence of barracks soldier could lodge in inns, ale houses, stables, uninhabited houses, barns and other buildings. Most colonies refused to comply with the act. For instance, when 1,500 British troops arrived at New York City in 1776, they had to remain on board their ship because the New York Assembly would not house them.\nThe Quartering Act of 1774 did not require that soldier..

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What color eyes did John F. Kennedy have?

Kennedy also inherited his parents' blood type, O positive. He had reddish-brown hair and stood 6 feet 1 inch tall. At the time of his assassination on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, he weighed 172 and 1/2 pounds. His shoe size was 10C.\nPerhaps as a nod to his Irish ancestral roots, one of Kennedy's favorite songs reportedly was "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."

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What are the general characteristics of world flags?

The flags of the nations of the world vary significantly by shape and size, though most are rectangular or square. All national flags use at least one color, as an all-white flag is the internationally recognized symbol of peace, ceasefire or truce. This definition was determined by the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907.\nFlags of the world typically feature shapes on the flag. These can be present as differently colored geometric figures such as circles, triangles, bars, rays, stars or other symbols, or simply as stripes. Text is sometimes included on a flag, as with the national flags of Af..

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Where did the Hohokam Indians historically live?

The Hohokam Indians lived in a secluded area in the Arizona desert, but they were able to live comfortably by developing irrigation and growing their own food. They built canals along the Santa Cruz River and used advanced irrigation techniques to help grow and sustain crops. They traded jewelry, woven goods and ceramics with groups from the American Southwest and Mexico.

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What were the causes of the French Revolution of 1848?

The French Revolution of 1848 spanned a total of five months and several political upheavals, including what is called the "Summer Insurrection." The 1848 Revolution was preceded by two disastrous economic failures: a potato blight in 1845 and a failed wheat harvest in 1846. Grain prices doubled after the 1846 wheat harvest, and as a result, tax and food riots, as well as begging and theft, increased.\n\nPolitically, the French working class initiated protesting against the bourgeoisie's attempted liberal reforms. In 1847, the year prior, the bourgeoisie had called for liberal reforms tha..

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What are some Mayan history facts?

The Mayans were an advanced civilization that made important discoveries in the fields of agriculture, calendar-making, mathematics, writing and pottery. The ruler of the Mayans was the king, who served as an intermediary between people and gods. Priests played a very important role in the society, and performed rituals, built calendars and tables of eclipses, and were said to avert plagues and famine through their prayers.\nThe gigantic Mayan pyramids were monuments dedicated to the gods, and priests performed sacrifices and rituals after climbing on top of them. According to evidence provide..

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